No Wonder You Were Afraid to Ask #56: Elisabeth Denis – If You Listen to My Heart You can Hear the Sound of the Ocean

Canadien roots and international heart. I have visited over 15 countries, lived and worked in Greece, Spain, Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua and across Canada. If you take a closer look at my heart, you can hear the waves crashing on the shore. The call of the ocean is the reason why I moved closer to the sea. I surf the waves throughout the day and they sing to me at night. I currently live in Tofino on Vancouver Island, the Canadian capital of surfing! From teaching acro yoga, hatha yoga and stand up paddling, I seek a deep and honest connection with other human beings and the powerful Mother Nature. This is my 22nd summer but someone once told me I carry an old soul and believe them.

Processed with VSCO with b6 preset

2 year ago, I was sitting in a classroom, uncomfortable, and looking out the windows wishing to be outside chasing the birds. Contemplating the ceiling, daydreaming of flying high into the sky. This isn’t where I’m supposed to be. I grabbed my life by the horns and changed its direction. Booked a one-way ticket, canceled my semester and started wandering around the world. It changed my life. The most significant part of my travels are the people I encounter. I compare them to a small piece of a puzzle that I needed to understand the world from different angles. I learned SO MUCH in such a small amount of time, I was overwhelmed. I wanted to cry, to scream, to go back to the past and press the forward button. How can I possibly maintain this lifestyle while working a job that I love? YOGA TEACHER TRAINING. The autumn of my life lasted 23 days. Again, I was uncomfortable sitting in an outdoor classroom, right in the jungle, surrounded by birds and wild animals. A fire burned my stomach and my heart. Sitting with your emotions and your past is one of the hardest things. To face them and understand them hurts. You cry, you laugh and you support others that are going through the same mud flat. Were in this together and it’s so damn magical. Never have I ever thought I’d obtained my certification. Hurray!!!!! I made it and I am so proud of myself. The power of healing is in my hands and I’m ready to heal others.

Processed with VSCO with f2 preset

If you’re into healing, health, truth, and honesty you should visit both my blog and holistic retreats. If wanting to explore your inner soul while being on an adventure, you should join the tribe and be part of the retreat either in Costa Rica or Tofino. All details on the YOGAVOCADO website.

The biggest disease in America isn’t cancer or heart disease. Loneliness. This is what I wish to eliminate. We are together on this earth. Cohabitating with animals and trees and other human beings. As in today, I dare you to look long into strangers eyes. To hug for longer. To say hello more often to whoever crosses your path. They might need you more than you think. And you might need them more than you can ever think.

What advice would you give the teenage you?

Love isn’t about possessing someone but to stand beside them and give them a shoulder when needed, ears to listen closely and a heart that can understand. Screaming louder doesn’t make you more powerful. Don’t be with someone for the way he looks or what he has. Don’t rush to obtain a “relationship status”, take your time, screw titles. Love bigger. Learn to spend time alone before jumping into a relationship. You can’t love someone else if you don’t love yourself first. This is you asking someone else to justify your existence. Do not put people in categories. Don’t bash on people that seem weaker than you to make you feel bigger. What you say about others says more about yourself than what it says about others. You don’t need makeup to be valuable. Your mom was right all along, you’re way better looking without it. It’s who you are, truly you. Spend more time with your family, there are the only ones that will always remain by your side no matter what. Don’t wait until you have enough money or a stable job to pursue your dreams. Time flies FUCKING FAST. Do it now. Burn the manual of life. There are no rules. Don’t value yourself over a school. It’s not for everyone and you don’t need a degree to be successful. Information is everywhere, go get it. Speak the truth even when it hurts. Honesty always win. Lies will come back right at you and bite you in the ass. You are responsible for your own emotions. Don’t blame it on others. Always apologize and forgive others. Don’t carry that weight on your shoulders. Sleeping with several partners won’t help you get over your ex-partner. Your body is so powerful, use it as much as you can. Having sex is more than pleasure, it’s intimacy. Intimacy isn’t just having sex, it’s confessing to someone, whispering, sharing an orange, eye contact and a lot of other things you will discover throughout your life. Don’t be scared of saying I love you. It’s not a big deal like you imagine. It’s something very nice to hear and people like to hear it. You can say I love you to friends, family, partners, and nature. If you don’t want to have sex, say no, it’s your body, your rules and it’s okay to not want it even tho you love your partner. He will understand. If he doesn’t, it’s not right. Whatever feels right, is right. When in doubt, don’t do it. Crying is not weakness. It’s letting go of an emotion that you kept inside of you. Crying is flushing down the toilet. It’s a positive action. Don’t hide it. It’s beautiful. Surround yourself with inspiring people. People that are going into a similar direction, aiming towards similar goals. This world is your playground, get outside more often, it’s healthy. You’re not as fat as you think. Feed your body with whatever it’s asking for. What you should buy is usually on the external part of a grocery store (vegetable, fruits, bread, fresh ingredients) Everything in between is crap. Accept your emotions. You’re powerful, magical, beautiful and inspiring. No one can ever take that from you because it’s part of you. Everything external will end up being replaced or broken. What truly matters are words, experiences, and emotions.

One person living or dead you would love to hang out with for a day? What would you do?

My grandmother. She passed away a week ago and I’ve been wanting to do a small documentary about her and my grandfather. They shared many seasons together. Found each other when they were teenagers and 2 months from now would have been their 70 wedding anniversary. I want to ask her what it’s like to share your life with one single person. The meaning of having children, their insecurities, their beliefs and truly made their love so strong.

Name a place you would like to visit?

India has been on the list since last November after my yoga teacher training. I believe this is the second step of a deeper connection within myself. I’ve heard many many times that one must be ready to visit that country. Very chaotic and diverse. I’m ready to listen through my eyes and silence my thoughts for a deeper understanding of the world itself and my own world. Studying Ayurvedic medicine and doing my 500 hours as a yoga teacher is my goal.

What is the number one thing on your bucket list?

I’m having a hard time finding the NUMBER ONE THING. There are many things on my bucket list and none as more important than another. Here are a few: obtaining my diving license, swim with wild sharks, own a food truck, live in a tiny house, live the van life, start my clothing brand, safari in Africa, surf and sleep in the Moroccan desert, surf in Fiji, rescue turtles and other marine mammals…. All about creating and traveling!

Processed with VSCO with g3 preset

What is your favorite Inspirational quote:

Change your thoughts and you change your world – Norman Vincent Peale

What do you think is the most important invention ever?

Words. Communication is key. I love dancing with words that come from the tip of my tongue down to my fingertips. It’s so important to me to choose my words carefully, to express as clearly as I can, what my chest, heart, mind, and body is feeling… into words.

Do you think humans should be concerned about the planet?

Yes. I believe we are assisting to an important transition. The food is abundant. So many options. It makes me sad to think that humans rather make money than being healthy. I’m never sure of what I’m putting into my body. The only thing I can read on a cereal box is LIES. Everything is hidden. It drives me crazy. I wish to live a self-sufficient life without secrets. Go zero waste. Talk to my plants. Protect the animals and share my knowledge.

Give money to the beggar on the street or tell them to “Get a job!” Which one are you?

None of the above. I would sit down next to them, buy them food. Ask them what brought them to the street. I’m an empath. When I over-think about the world, the urge to let go of everything and simply live in nature crosses my mind a lot. Therefore, I can understand people who choose to live that way.

Do you prefer to vacation with the locals or all-inclusive resort?

Locals all the way. All-inclusive resort sounds like staying in your comfort zone while my motto is to get out of my comfort zone. Vacation with locals teaches me so much on their language, their vision of the world and a better understanding of the differences we have.

What is the most adventurous thing you ever did?

I climbed an illegal hike: Stairway to heaven. In Hawaii – Oahu. It was 3 am, my friend and I at the time were intoxicated with alcohol. A security guard was at the very beginning of the hike, telling us he couldn’t stop us physically but once we get back down, after sunrise, police officers would be waiting for us. One bottle of water and a chocolate bar later, we were up there, seeing the most magical sunrise I’ve ever seen. On our way down, we saw the police officers and decided to play a game. They asked us for I.D and we pretended not understanding their language. It worked, they let us go. Best actress ever!

What is your passion?

My passion is the ocean. It’s my only love, I thrive to protect it.

Do you believe in God?

I believe in energy. In something bigger than what we are and what we know. I dont’t like titles… That’s why I call it energy. A powerful force that makes you want to believe in something.